Irish Veterans one of ‘Charities of Choice’ for major US College Football Game, 3 September 2016 at The Aviva Stadium, Dublin

Irish Veterans has been designated one of the four ‘Charities of Choice’ for the Aer Lingus College Football Classic taking place at The Aviva Stadium in Dublin, on Saturday 3 September 2016 between Boston College and Georgia Tech. We are delighted to have been given this opportunity to showcase what we do, and for the Big Game on Saturday we are looking to highlight four Irish Veterans who, each in their own ways, displayed unique characteristics of unmatched courage and tenacity while serving with the US Military.

The 4 are:

US Navy SEAL LT Michael P Murphy, MOH, after whom our #1 Chapter in Kinsale is named, was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions in Afghanistan, 2005. The movie ‘Lone Survivor’ is about his Team’s mission. His mother Maureen Murphy, and Aunt Mary Allmer, are being flown in.

Staff Sgt Liam Flynn, MARSOC Special Ops Marine Raider, born in Clane, Co Kildare. A multi-tour combat veteran, Liam lost his life in a helicopter accident, March 2015 off the Florida coast. His widow (Destiny), and 2 year old daughter (Leilani), are being flown in.

First Sgt Peter Andrew ‘Drew’ McKenna Jr, Green Beret from Rhode Island, killed in action repelling a terrorist attack on his base in Afghanistan, August 2015. Drew’s parents, Peter and Carol, are being flown in.

Major John I O’Sullivan, US Army 174th Aviation Company Assault Helicopters, born Tralee, Co Kerry, John became one of the most highly decorated aviators of the Vietnam conflict. He was one of only 2 Irish-born (*) chopper pilots in the war, and he passed away 2013 from complications of illness contracted in Vietnam. John’s family are living in Ireland.

The four men will be highlighted in a short video presentation on the big screens at the Aviva, and the families will be recognised in the Stadium by the capacity crowd.

(* The second Irish-born chopper pilot of Vietnam was Nick Collier, who is still living in Texas, and we are proud to have him as a member of Irish Veterans.)